A/N I so appreciate the great response to this story, thank you all! Shall we see how things are going for the Grimes Family? I think something big is going on.

Six Months Later

It had been a very busy few months. So many changes had come about.

Merle and Carol had invited Rick, Beth and Carl, Hershel and Annette, Shawn, Glenn and Maggie, Aaron and Eric, and, of course, Daryl and Kathleen over to Merle's place for a Saturday barbeque. Beth kept telling Rick that something was going to happen, she was certain of it, something life-altering, but she wasn't sure what. The vibrations were so strong, but she wasn't worried, she knew whatever it was, it was good. As it turned out, it wasn't just a barbeque. Before the barbeque, Merle and Carol got married, right there in the backyard, just the way they'd wanted to, no frills, no fuss, making their commitment to one another in front of close family and friends, and everyone enjoying a meal together. Hershel had been the only one in on it, he'd given his word, and he'd kept it, he'd never let on. He officiated the brief ceremony and he'd felt good about it, solid, he knew they were indeed, a match made in heaven; two lost and lonely souls who had finally found one another. Everyone was surprised, and oh so happy for the newlyweds.

Beth had hosted a lovely and intimate party for Aaron and Eric in the small banquet room of the nicest hotel in the county. She and Rick were even able to stay for the whole event. Beth felt comfortable and at home in the small group that attended, they were all close friends and family. The only one Beth hadn't known was Eric's mom, and she turned out to be a very nice woman, loving and supportive of her son and Aaron. Such a contrast to Aaron's Mother who had worked so hard to end the relationship and to somehow force Aaron to become, what she called, a "real man."

Since Aaron and Eric had opted to just slip down to Atlanta, and have a simple courthouse ceremony, with only Eirc's Mom attending, the "engagement" party was a nice way for everyone to get together and celebrate the couple's happiness and wish them well.

Beth was trying to get out more often, trying to get more used to being in groups and crowds. She wanted so badly to be able to attend Daryl and Kathleen's wedding. It sounded like it would be huge. She felt sure she'd at least be able to handle the church service, but she also wanted so much to be able to attend at least part of the reception. She wanted to meet Kathleen's family, dance with Rick, toast and celebrate a bride and groom who meant so much to her.

She and Kathleen had become the best of friends. Beth had never had a girlfriend, and she was enjoying this special kind of relationship she'd missed out on. They shared confidences, talked nonsense about movie stars and pop culture, and even enjoyed shopping together. Kathleen "got" Beth's issues with crowds, and was always accommodating.

The other thing about the groups and crowds, why it was so important to Beth to get more comfortable in these situations, was Carl. He planned to go out for both the track and basketball teams when he entered High School next year. She wanted to be the supportive mom, attend his events and cheer him on, she was bound and determined to work through her problem; try to find a way to tune out the internal "chatter" and vibrations that seemed to be so constant in larger groups, especially groups of strangers.

Everyone was working to help her in any way they could. Once a week she and Kathleen went to the big Saturday Farmer's Market. The first couple of times they'd gone, Beth had barely lasted 15 minutes, but this past Saturday, they'd walked around for nearly two hours. She'd found that going on these outings with Kathleen was actually fun, they'd walk arm in arm, make jokes, laugh at little things they saw and that people did, nothing seemed quite as scary when she was with her friend. They decided next Saturday, they'd get really brave and try the mall, their reward if they made it two hours there, new shoes!

Daryl and Kathleen, Carol and Merle, and Rick, Beth and Carl had driven to Atlanta one Sunday to attend a big motorcycle expo and trick riding competition. She'd sat between Rick and Carl, and she'd actually enjoyed it. They hadn't tried to rush out right after the show, like the rest of the crowd. They waited until the mayhem had died down a bit. Not fighting the crowd really reduced the amount of anxiety Beth felt.

Her favorite had been attending a baseball game with Rick and Carl, again, in order to avoid that throng of rushing humanity, they'd arrived early and taken their seats, and didn't try to leave until after the bulk of the crowd had disbursed. Carl was in charge of snack bar runs for hot dogs, peanuts, ice cream and frozen lemonades. Of course, he'd been the one to eat most of that stuff.

She was starting to feel at least a little confidence that she could handle this, and that she'd achieve her goal of being able to attend Carl's events, and also accompany her family to restaurants, sporting events, anywhere Rick and Carl may want to go. She felt this strong tug to work hard at trying to have a more "normal" life. She knew she was never going to be like everyone else, but she'd started to think maybe part of her problem was simply that she'd been "hiding out." Avoiding this world she didn't quite fit into, instead of accepting and enjoying those differences.

Rick was so happy in his "new" life. Beth was everything to him, the perfect wife, the perfect mother to Carl, and the most perfect best friend.

Oh there had been some issues, that was the way it was with Beth, and oddly, for a guy who'd always liked logic and order, it never bothered him, her quirks, her sensitivity. The only time it hurt him was when she cried. When Beth cried it was the most painful and emotional thing he'd ever witnessed. And she seemed to cry so easily. She knew she did, she tried so hard not to, but it was a battle she seldom won. She felt everything so deeply. He just wanted to take whatever the hurt was on himself, so she could smile that smile and be happy.

Such big things were happening in their lives now. For reasons known only to Lori, reasons he would never begin to understand, she'd decided to wave all parental rights to Carl. It was as though she'd just given up on him, or cast him aside. Rick had never known how deep this obsession was that she seemed to have for Shane, but it certainly appeared Shane had complete control over her. He wanted her to himself, didn't want to share her with a child, with friends, with anyone, and she'd given into that. Rick was sure the day would come when she'd regret the decisions she'd made, but that was her sorrow to live with, she'd made her choices. For his part, he was going to have a happy life with Carl and with Beth. Lori would have to deal with her own demons.

He'd worried about how Carl would take this huge rejection. He'd talked to the psychiatrist at the office, and the man had put him in touch with a counselor for Carl, he was seeing the woman twice a week. But Carl didn't really seem to be taking the situation badly. He and Beth had a very strong bond, they'd seemed to tune into each other right away. Carl treated her with great respect and love, and she treated him the same. And Beth was a naturally nurturing person, always kind and loving. But there was a good balance, because at the same time, she had expectations of him, she wanted him to do well in school, to have good manners, to be thoughtful of others, and to set goals.

They'd be going to court next week for the final custody hearing. There seemed to be no doubt that Rick was to be granted full custody of Carl. But they weren't stopping there. The three of them had discussed it, and they'd all agreed, Rick and Beth were going to go all the way with it, now that Lori had completely rejected him, signed over those parental rights, made her choice, Beth was petitioning to adopt Carl.

Both Rick and Carl were amazed at her commitment and devotion, and it made them both love her even more.

So at 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, when that call came in from Carl, Rick was stunned and deeply concerned. His son had said, "Dad, I think you better come home and check on Beth, she's in your bedroom and she's laying there on the bed crying really hard. I tried to ask her what was the matter, but she just said she couldn't talk about it right now, and she said she loved me, loved you and she was sorry."

"Thanks son, keep an eye on things, I'm on my way, be there in 15."

Rick worried all the way home, every possible scenario crossed his mind, had she changed her mind about custody? About adoption? Those were the first things he thought of, because for the life of him, he couldn't imagine what else it could be.

But as he thought about it, maybe it was her health. She been so tired lately, she was sleeping far more than usual. Going to bed early, and having a little trouble getting started in the morning. Her stomach had been bothering her a lot, and she didn't seem to want to eat much. He'd begged her to go to the doctor, and out of desperation had finally called her Mama to intervene. But Beth's appointment wasn't until next week, so it didn't seem likely it could be some terrible medical diagnosis.

He pulled in the drive and rushed in the door, he and Carl shared a worried look and a quick hug, Rick went in the bedroom. She was curled up on the bed with her back to him, crying so hard Rick could have sworn the bed was shaking. He removed his duty belt and laid down next to her, he had an arm around her waist and his cheek laying on hers.

Carl, being a naturally curious teenager, and sharing his Dad's deep concern for Beth, was standing quietly in the hallway, eavesdropping.

He heard his Dad ask, "Sweetheart, what is it, what's the matter? You have to tell me so we can work this out. I love you, I'm here for you. Please Beth, what's wrong?"

But she was crying so hard. Rick alternated between rubbing her back, and stroking her hair, and trying so hard to calm her down enough to speak, "Please Sweetheart, whatever it is, we're going to get through this, you don't have to do this alone, but you have to tell me what it is Baby, what's gotten you so upset. Please, tell me what's wrong."

She took several deep and shaky breaths and then she finally started to speak, "I just forgot, I didn't mean to, I promise Rick, I meant to do it every day, just like I was supposed to, but somehow it just got away from me, and I'm just so scared you're going to be so angry with me, that you'll never forgive me. This isn't going to just go away, this is forever. I'm so sorry Rick, I just, oh my gosh, I guess I'm just not a responsible person. I can't be trusted with anything. And I knew, the minute it happened, I felt it, but there was nothing I could do, it had happened."

Geez, Carl was wondering to himself, what the hell? Dad was wondering the very same thing.

"What did you forget Beth? I can't imagine anything it could be that would make me angry with you, especially not angry enough to never forgive you, angry enough that I'd make you cry like this, what is it, what did you forget and what happened?"

"I forgot to take them Rick, those pills the doctor gave me, and today I bought one of those tests, just to confirm what I already knew in my heart, I'm pregnant and I'm sorry, please don't hate me."

He didn't think he'd ever felt as relieved as he did in that moment.

"Sweetheart, why in the world would I hate you for having our baby? I love you, I love the idea of having a child with you. I was never sure if you wanted to have children, I'm excited, ecstatic, are you unhappy?"

"No, not at all," she managed to get out between sniffles, "I'm thrilled, but we hadn't even talked about it, and Carl is the priority right now." That's when Carl decided he should just go get a coke. She wasn't planning to kick him to the curb just because there was a baby on the way. So it was all cool, and he'd always wanted to be a big brother.

They laid there cuddled up on the bed and shared their excitement about the baby coming. But Rick also reminded her, "Sweetheart, I've told you at least a thousand times, you have to learn to trust me enough to tell me things, not just assume I'm going to be disappointed, unhappy or angry. I would have hoped you'd know by now that it would be impossible for me to hate you, you're my wife, you're Carl's mother, and now you're going to be a Mommy to our new little baby."

"I know, I'm so sorry Rick, I don't know why I just assume the worst, especially with you, you're always so wonderful to me. You're the kindest, most gentle man. But just for the record, you've only told me to trust you 543 times. So, I guess it hasn't sunk in yet." She smiled at him.

He laughed softly, pulled her close, and whispered in her ear, "I love you so much Beth Grimes, you're going to be the best Mommy a child could ever have."

About that time there was a knock at their bedroom door, "I hate to bother you two lovebirds, but I'm starving to death and Grandma and Grandpa Greene just pulled in the driveway, and Daryl and Kathleen pulled in right behind them."

Rick smiled at her and said, "I hope you're ready to deal with another one just like him."

She smiled back, "Another one like him would be just perfect."

xxxx

Annette could tell right away her daughter had had some kind of emotional breakdown, it showed all over her face. It was still red, especially her nose, and her eyes were puffy and tired looking. "Beth Honey, are you alright, is everything okay?"

Beth looked to Rick, he just smiled, cocked that head to the side and shrugged a shoulder, "Up to you Sweetheart."

She smiled, but then looked to Carl. He smiled at her, "I heard you tell Dad, Mom so it's up to you."

Annette was getting frustrated, and Hershel was just plain confused. Daryl was pretty sure he'd caught the vibe, and Kathleen wasn't sure why, but she felt happy, like whatever it was, it was something good. "What in the world is going on here, someone please tell me now." Annette was out of patience.

"Mama, Daddy, you're going to be grandparents." Now Beth was beaming.

Annette was crying and laughing and she hugged her daughter and said, "Oh my, I can't believe it, why just a few months ago Daddy and I had no grandchildren, now we have a wonderful grandson, and a new grandbaby on the way, I'd say we are truly blessed!" Then she hugged Rick and Carl.

Hershel was smiling from ear to ear, he shook Rick's hand, clapped Carl on the back and drew him in for a quick hug, and then hugged his daughter and said, "What a wonderful surprise. I love you daughter."

Daryl and Beth shared a long hug, no one was surprised by that, and there were no longer any questioning or jealous feelings.

Then Daryl gave Rick a one armed "bro hug," and quietly said, "Ya come a long way from that broken man ya was brother, congratulations."

Kathleen was hugging Beth, and they were talking fast and already making plans for a nursery.

Rick smiled broadly and said, "We should have a celebration dinner. Beth, would you like Carl and I to pick up some food?"

"I don't think so, now more than ever, I think we need to go out to dinner. I can't imagine all the places I'm going to have to take a baby, a child. I've really got to work diligently on this now. Please Rick, you pick the place. I can do this, I know I can, I have to, it's important for my family."

A/N I know, I know, sweetness overload - no more sugar for you today! I hope you enjoyed, please review xo